Safety Tips and Information

Lock your
car and pocket the key when you leave - even if just for a minute. Close
windows all the way and make sure the trunk is locked. Control your
keys. Never leave an identification tag on your key ring. If your keys are
lost or stolen, it could help a thief locate your car or your home.

If carrying packages or valuable items, store them in your trunk if possible.
If you do leave packages, clothing or other articles in the car, make sure they
are out of sight.

Park in well-lit busy areas. Avoid leaving your
vehicle in unattended parking lots for long periods of time. If you park in a
lot where you must leave a key, leave the ignition key only to protect items in
trunk or glove box.

When buying a car, ask about anti-theft options
such as steering column locks, alarms, switches that interrupt the fuel or
electronic systems and locks for tape decks, batteries and gas tanks. Many
insurance companies offer reduced rates to owners who install security
devices.

Keep your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and a
complete description in a safe place at home. Since 1969, the federal
government has required manufacturers to engrave a unique number, the VIN, on
all passenger cars in one visible and several hidden locations. This
information is very important in the event your vehicle is stolen and you choose
to report it to the police.

Make your home
look (and sound) occupied.

By day, leave drapes and
shades in normal position - the way you have them when at home. (Don't leave
easily moveable valuables in sight close to windows.)

At night,
leave on some inner lights - bathrooms and hallways for example. Consider
buying automatic timers that turn lamps on after dark, then off a few hours
later or at dawn. These timers can also turn on a radio so your home sounds
occupied.

Never leave garage doors open - especially with no car
in sight. This is like a WELCOME sign to burglars. Closing garage doors is
something to do every time you leave - even if only for a few minutes. When
leaving for longer periods, don't forget to remove easily stolen objects like a
power mower, garden hose, lawn chairs, bicycles and the like from your yard and
keep them safely locked up.

Be a good
neighbor

Keep an eye on your neighbor’s homes; get
them to do the same for you.

If you see something suspicious -
movement inside when a home should be empty . . . a strange car or truck in the
driveway . . . a loiterer - call the 911 immediately. Make a reasonable effort
to get a good description and license number without endangering yourself.
Burglars have been known to use a truck and openly carry off valuable
possessions. If your neighbor didn't mention moving, be suspicious of a moving
truck removing items from their home. The Police Department would rather you
called them than wished you'd called them.

Install good
locks. . . and lock them!

There is one lock that crime
prevention experts recommend, it’s a deadbolt lock with a one-inch thrown. This
type of lock provides better security than what many homes have. You can get
more information from the police, locksmith or hardware dealer about these types
of locks.

Besides good locks, it is also a good idea to have a
one-way peephole in your front door so you can find out who's outside without
opening your door to a possibly dangerous stranger. Such viewers are
inexpensive and easy to install. They are much better than chain latches that
are easy to force loose.

For windows, install window locks.
They're inexpensive and provide some extra security. Another idea is to get
wedge devices that prevent windows from being opened or allow you to open them
an inch or two for ventilation but prevent opening them wider. Sliding glass
doors are a special problem because they can be forced open sideways or simply
popped out of the track. There are various inexpensive items such as a Charlie
bar or supplemental locks which will give you better sliding door protection.

The best lock in the world is worthless if it isn't locked. Always
lock up - even if you're away from the home only minutes. Houses have been
cleaned out while the owner was mowing the lawn or visiting a neighbor.
Remember, a lock is not a lock unless you lock it. This is also true for alarm
systems!

Don't open your door to anyone that does not
have business inside

This isn't just to guard against
robbery by force or threat of force; sometimes burglars who have no intention of
using force will first try to get in under some pretext so they can scout out
valuables and study locks, windows and other means of entry. Ask repair people
and others who claim to have business inside to show positive identification and
keep the door closed while you study the identification through the peephole.
If you have the slightest doubt, telephone their supervisors back at work,
getting the number from your directory. If you wish to help a lost or stranded
motorist, you make the call while he or she waits outside.

When
you do admit a worker or a salesperson you were expecting, do not leave them
alone at any time. Don't reward the burglar who does get in. If, despite your
precautions, a burglar does get into your home, don't offer a "bonus" of cash or
easily carried jewelry. Never keep large sums of cash around the house. Keep
valuable jewelry that you don't often use in a safe deposit box.

Don't welcome burglars by telephone!

Burglars often try to find out if anyone is home by phoning. If you get
several suspicious "wrong number" calls or "nobody-at-the-other-end" calls, call
911. Warn family members, especially children, never to give information out by
phone - especially about who is home, who is out or how long anyone is expected
to be out. Also, make it harder for burglars to "case" your home by phone by
avoiding names on mailboxes or on doors. Your name on display only makes it
easier for the burglar to look your name up in the phone book or online.

Protect your Social Security number, don’t carry
your social security card in your wallet or write it on anything. Provide your
social security number only if absolutely necessary, always ask if you can use
another identifier instead.

Never click on links sent in unsolicited
emails, use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software on all computers
you use; and keep them up to date!

Don’t use obvious passwords like
your birth date, pet’s name, or last four digits of your social security
number.

Discuss with your children what to do if threatened by a stranger and to
report any suspicious incidents to you. Tell your children never to go near a
stranger's car, give someone directions or help look for a missing or lost pet
if asked to do so by someone they don't know.

Have current photos of
your children. For children under seven, photos should be taken twice yearly;
for children over seven, annually. If possible, videotape your children.

Obtain passports so your children cannot be taken out of the country without
your permission.

Teach your children their full names, addresses, and
phone numbers, including area code and long distance dialing information. Post
emergency numbers near the phone and show children how to dial 911. They should
also know what to say to an operator if they are lost or have an emergency.

Never put your child's name on any article of clothing, lunch box,
backpack, etc. A stranger should never be able to call your child by name.

Be cautious when choosing daycare facilities, preschools or
babysitters. Always check references. Make sure these facilities will release
your child to no one but you without prior permission.

Instruct
babysitters or children left at home to never open the door to strangers and
never volunteer information over the phone. If asked, your children should say
that you are home, but are unable to come to the phone.

Never leave
children unattended in a car, not even for a minute.

If your child is
old enough to be out on his own, encourage him to use the "buddy system" and to
avoid empty lots, fields and parks. Know the route your child takes to and from
school. Have your children check in with you at a specific time if you will not
be home upon their arrival.

Please use the
guide/checklist provided below when planning a party of any kind at your home.
While the Clyde Hill Police Department would like you to have a successful and
enjoyable party, we would also like you to be aware of the potential problems or
risks associated with hosting a party at your home.